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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Tech

The Net Neutrality Battle--As Congress prepares for a vote to repeal net neutrality regulations this week, the debate is heating up. The discussion has been hot for a while--determining whether and to what degree internet users should have to pay for access to the internet. Net neutrality is the concept of internet service providers (ISPs) offering access equally, without slowing or blocking content based on user type (residential v. commercial, et.al) or payment amount. Tech companies like Google and Facebook support net neutrality. They obviously want as much open access as possible. Service providers clearly see things differently.

The likelihood for a divide would certainly change the face of social media, and at this point, everyday life. Use of the internet is far more commonplace than it was at the inception of the regs, so capitalistic changes could really send this country into a tailspin.

Our Tech Guru, GuyverV has offered his take--It's apparent that a lot of commenters are either spambots or fools. Tom Wheeler did a great thing by classifying the internet companies as utilities. It ensures competition, but also, prevents companies from prioritizing their traffic over that of others.

Amit Pai (Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission/FCC) has nothing but the corporations interests at heart by attempting to "restore internet freedom." The truth is he can't change the rules without showing that something has changed in the market since the rules were put in place.

Not only has nothing changed, but multiple companies have said to their shareholders that the rules aren't affecting their bottom line. Pai can call this initiative whatever he wants, but it's apparent that he's nothing but an errand boy for corporate interest.What do you think?